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Football London
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Sam Hill

Graham Potter can save Chelsea £120m with new Trevoh Chalobah role amid Kante contract situation

Chelsea star Trevoh Chalobah could save Todd Boehly over £100million after Graham Potter trialled the English defender in a new position during the international break.

Chalobah looked to impress Potter whilst others went away on international duty as the Blues took part in a behind-closed-doors friendly, as per talkSPORT. The 23-year-old has made just one appearance for Chelsea so far this season and the arrivals of Kalidou Koulibaly, Wesley Fofana and Marc Cucurella have seen his first team opportunities limited.

Chalobah was linked with a loan move away to AC Milan over the summer, but the club opted to keep him at the club to provide squad depth rather than send him out on a season-long loan move and continue his development. Potter could solve the ongoing midfield issue at Stamford Bridge by deploying the English defender in a more advanced role, protecting the defence in a midfield position.

READ MORE: Chelsea have already doubled up on Liverpool in £83m Jude Bellingham transfer pursuit

Potter was keen to get a closer look at some fringe players during the international break ahead of his first Premier League match in charge of the Blues against Crystal Palace this weekend. During the behind-closed-doors friendly against his former side Brighton, Potter utilised Chalobah in a holding midfield role, whilst summer signing Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Ruben Loftus-Cheek also featured.

N'Golo Kante and Jorginho are now in the final year of their current deals with the Blues and could leave on a free transfer next summer unless renewals are negotiated for both midfielders. The pair remain key players at Stamford Bridge but as they continue to age, Todd Boehly is keen to add younger talents to Potter's squad in an effort to protect Chelsea's long-term future.

Jude Bellingham, Declan Rice and Frenkie de Jong have all been heavily linked with a move to the Blues over the summer. Borussia Dortmund are said to have slapped a £120million price tag on Bellingham, whilst West Ham have also demanded a similar fee for Rice.

De Jong is thought to be available for a fee in the region of £70million, though the Dutch midfielder is reluctant to leave Barcelona due to an ongoing wage dispute. Boehly is set to invest heavily in the playing squad in the coming transfer windows as Potter looks to reshape the team to his liking after Thomas Tuchel's departure earlier this month.

Chalobah's versatility could result in Chelsea saving millions in transfer funds, allowing Potter and Boehly to invest money into other areas of the squad that need reinforcing. With the futures of Kante and Jorginho still in doubt ahead of next summer, with yet another busy transfer window expected for the Blues, Potter utilising the 23-year-old is a holding midfield role could prove to be a masterstroke if he is able to adapt to the new role and perform to a high standard.

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